According to SFA, administrators had to add an extra in-person orientation session to accommodate students and families who plan to attend.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches made history this fall semester with a record-breaking number of undergraduate applications.
The university received over 20,000 applications, which is a 17% increase over fall 2024 applications and a 67% rise since 2019, SFA said in a news release.
SFA noted the University of Texas System’s investment to expand SFA’s Purple Promise program that covers tuition and fees for families earning $100,000 gross income or less. The enrollment increase is also a result of Lumberjack Transfer Alliance and Lumberjack Launch to improve access, support and college readiness for students across Texas.
“We’re incredibly energized by the excitement surrounding SFA right now,” said SFA President Dr. Neal Weaver. “This explosive growth speaks volumes about the momentum behind the SFA brand. Crossing the 20,000 threshold is a milestone achievement and a reflection of the academic strength, value and sense of belonging that define the SFA experience. Students and families across the state and beyond are taking notice.”
According to SFA, administrators had to add an extra in-person orientation session to accommodate students and families who plan to attend. SFA marked its largest summer orientation attendance of over 3,000.
“This surge in applications and positive early enrollment data signals the strength of our strategic outreach, recruiting and marketing, as well as the appeal of our academic and student life offerings,” said Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement at SFA. “From prospective first-year students to transfer and graduate students, more individuals are choosing SFA and committing to becoming Lumberjacks.”
SFA said this incoming first-time undergraduate class is set to be the largest in the university’s history.